The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans

The Ritz Carlton is a name brand that inspires loyalty in business and leisure travelers alike. Located on Canal Street in the former Maison Blanche department store, the Ritz embraces Southern culture and ideals into its design and service. The rooms themselves seemed to have been pulled out from a Victorian mansion and plugged into this gracious property. The 25,000 square foot spa is one of the biggest in the city, a signature calling card for visitors and locals alike. The location is primo, on the parade, route, close to the city's revitalized theater district and on the edge of the French Quarter, steps from everything.